Senior Analyst - Inventory Planning & Replenishment at Staples in Richmond Hill, ON, Canada

Job description

• The Inventory Planning & Replenishment Sr Analyst plays a key role in managing a complex inventory portfolio and supporting the development of inventory strategies that improve service, inventory productivity, and overall supply chain performance. This role requires strong analytical capability, sound decision-making, and the ability to influence outcomes across vendors and internal business partners. The Senior Analyst is expected to proactively identify risks and opportunities, recommend data-driven solutions, and help drive improvements in key performance indicators. The role also contributes to a collaborative, accountable, and continuous improvement-focused team environment by sharing insights, supporting peers, and helping mature inventory planning and replenishment practices.

Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management
• Manage inventory performance across an assigned portfolio, including in-stock levels, inventory turns, weeks of supply, fill rate, aged inventory, and excess inventory.
• Develop and execute inventory strategies that balance service levels, working capital, vendor constraints, promotional activity, and business priorities.
• Support open-to-buy planning, inventory investment decisions, and excess inventory reduction initiatives.
• Inventory Planning
• Maintain and optimize key planning inputs, including forecasts, safety stock, lead times, order cycles, minimum order quantities, and service level assumptions.
• Identify root causes of inventory issues, recommend and execute practical actions to improve performance.
• Translate business priorities into clear execution plans and escalate risks with recommended solutions.
• Vendor Management
• Partner with vendors to address supply constraints, improve fill rates, lead times, and overall service performance.
• Track commitments and follow up with internal and external partners to support timely execution.
• Cross-Functional Partnership
• Work closely with Merchandising, Sales, Operations, and other business partners to align inventory plans with promotions, assortment changes, seasonal demand, and customer requirements.
• Perform scenario planning and provide clear, data-driven recommendations to support inventory, purchasing, and vendor decisions.
• Influence outcomes through strong communication, effective relationship-building, and constructive challenge where appropriate.
• Data Analysis
• Use planning systems and analytical tools to assess portfolio performance and identify risks, trends, and opportunities.
• Support more proactive and exception-based planning by identifying service or inventory risks before they impact results.
• Reporting
• Build or enhance reports, dashboards, and analytical models to support inventory decision-making.
• Process Improvement
• Challenge the status quo by identifying opportunities to streamline recurring analysis, improve processes, and automate manual work.
• Share technical knowledge and planning best practices to support team capability and continuous improvement.
• Team Contribution
• Contribute to a collaborative and accountable team environment.
• Provide informal guidance and support to peers through knowledge sharing and best-practice adoption.
• Contribute to the continued maturity of inventory planning and replenishment processes, tools, and routines.
• Accountability
• Demonstrate ownership of portfolio results while supporting shared business objectives.
• Communicate risks, opportunities, and recommendations clearly and professionally.

Requirements

• Inventory Planning & Business Acumen
• Strong knowledge of inventory planning, replenishment, forecasting, vendor lead times, safety stock, and supply chain KPIs.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including an understanding of how inventory decisions impact sales, service, cash flow, and working capital.
• Customer-first mindset, with the ability to consider downstream impacts when making inventory and service decisions.
• Analytics, Systems & Technology
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Macros, Power Query, and the ability to work with large datasets.
• Experience with analytics and reporting tools such as Power BI and SQL.
• Experience with ERP and supply chain planning systems such as JDA/Blue Yonder, SAP, Oracle, Kinaxis, or similar platforms.
• Digital proficiency, with an openness to using technology, automation, and data insights to improve efficiency and decision-making.
• Leadership & Interpersonal Effectiveness
• Sound decision-making skills, including the ability to assess trade-offs, manage ambiguity, and adjust plans as new information becomes available.
• Demonstrated ownership, follow-through, and resilience in managing priorities, resolving issues, and delivering results.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with vendors and cross-functional partners.
• Collaborative working style, with the ability to listen, build trust, share feedback constructively, and support team success.
• Continuous improvement mindset, with curiosity and initiative to identify better ways of working.
• 4+ years of progressive experience in inventory planning, replenishment, demand planning, forecasting, supply chain, retail operations, management consulting, or a related field.
• Experience managing inventory performance and supporting measurable improvements to supply chain KPIs.
• Experience in a retail, distribution, wholesale, or B2B supply chain environment preferred.
• Experience working with vendors, merchandising, sales, or operations teams considered an asset.
• Experience developing reports, dashboards, or analytical tools preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Mathematics, Statistics, Operations Management or related field is preferred.
• APICS / ASCM, CPIM, CSCP, or other relevant supply chain certification considered an asset.

Skills

Required

• Collaborative working style
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Curiosity and initiative
• Ownership and follow-through
• Resilience
• Power BI
• SQL
• Supply chain planning systems
• Analytics and reporting tools

Benefits

• Associate discount
• Health and Dental benefits
• Performance bonuses
• Learning & Development programs
• And more...
• $64,300 - $80,350